"Soldiers protect Polish lands from any potential attempts, luckily we haven't had any incidents, Poland is safe, and we all are safe too," President Andrzej Duda said during his visit to Rzeszów. He also promised he would go to the border to speak with volunteers and refugees.
President Andrzej Duda on Friday visited soldiers from the 21st command battalion of the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade in Rzeszów, which is a part of the 18th Mechanized Division. The head of state reminded that the 21st Brigade was carrying out its duties at the Polish-Ukrainian border and coordinating operations of allied forces, most importantly U.S. forces.
"Today we have already more than 10,000 U.S. troops on Polish soil, some 5,000 are right here in the eastern parts of Poland. It's no secret what they are here for - today, the most important task of our 21st Podhale Bridage is to coordinate evacuation of people from Ukraine," he explained.
He added that all humanitarian and material aid for Ukrainians who had stayed in their country was passing through the eastern border.
He also said that soldier were protecting Polish lands "from any potential attempts". "Luckily, we've had no incidents, so far nothing has been reported, and also thanks to the 21st Podhale Rifles Brigade, Poland is safe and we all are safe too," the president underscored.
Poland's head of state also declared he would go to the border later on Friday to see the situation there, and how the evacuation process was going. "I want to see the conditions and speak with those who work there, the volunteers, as well as with our Ukrainian friends who trust us and come here to find shelter from war, to feel safe here," Andrzej Duda said.
The president also thanked Poles for helping refugees. "I want to thank my compatriots for all that heart they have been showing, for so much good will, so much warmth that they show to people in need, whose homes are being destroyed today by Russian aggressors. Whose closest relatives die fighting in defence of their homeland, and are simply killed with bombs as regular civilians," he stressed.
"I'm grateful to you for showing heart, that you accept them and care for them. I believe it will cement our brotherhood for centuries," Duda said.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP